WILLEMSTAD - The government of Curaçao maintains its position that the conditions that the Netherlands attaches to the provision of new corona loans cannot be accepted as they were presented.
The Rhuggenaath Cabinet has expressed its objections in a letter to the Kingdom Council of Ministers (RMR). The RMR will continue consultations on how to tackle the corona crisis on August 14. In the RMR of July 10, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten asked for more time to study the Dutch proposal, but it was already clear at that time that they had serious reservations.
“The Government of Curaçao is aware of the need to take solid steps that require great sacrifices in the context of reform and reconstruction of the country. However, this must take place within a realistic framework in which Curaçao remains responsible for its own progress, but - in consultation - can count on the support of the Netherlands to achieve its goals,” according to a statement by the Rhuggenaath Cabinet.
“The proposal of the Netherlands includes a coherent package of proposals concerning the amendment of the Kingdom Act, the establishment of an independent administrative body based on Dutch legislation for the restructuring and reconstruction of the country, a structured reform plan and also conditions for the third tranche of financial support. In general, the government of Curaçao understands and supports the starting point of these proposals, but at the same time wants to point out the lack of clarity and various legal questions to the Netherlands. This certainly applies to the statutory relationship between the two countries in the Kingdom, legal certainty and a correct balance between authority and responsibility of the partners involved. If these are not clearly defined, our fundamental rights as an autonomous country within the Kingdom enshrined in our Statute may be threatened in their existence.”
“It is a fact that Curaçao, now more than ever because of the severe socio-economic situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, needs financial support and technical assistance from the Netherlands to bridge this difficult period. The Government of Curaçao was already on the right path to transformation within the framework of the Growth Strategy that it has implemented over the past 2 years and the Recovery and Reform Programs that were started immediately after the coronavirus crisis. Since the proposals of the Netherlands for reform plans are largely in line with the aforementioned strategy and plans, the Government of Curaçao is confident that the Netherlands and Curaçao will be able to reach a correct and solidarity-based agreement in the coming period through consultations during the Kingdom Council of Ministers scheduled for August 14.”
